C9606R Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Rack Mountable Chassis Switch with 6 x Expansion Slot

Cisco C9606R Rack Mountable Chassis Switch

The Cisco C9606R is a high-performance rack-mountable chassis switch from the Catalyst 9600 Series, designed for large-scale enterprise networks and data centers. This switch delivers robust switching capacity, extensive expansion options, and flexible power configurations, making it an ideal choice for mission-critical network infrastructures.

General Specifications

• Manufacturer: Cisco
• Part Number: C9606R
• Device Type: Switch

Enclosure and Form Factor

• Enclosure Type: Side-to-side airflow rack-mountable 8U
• Cooling Feature: Equipped with fan tray for optimal thermal management

Performance Capabilities

• Switching Capacity: Up to 25.6 Tbps
• Bandwidth per Slot: 6.4 Tbps

Advanced Features

• Modular fan tray for reliable cooling and redundancy
• Scalable design supporting growing network demands

Expansion and Connectivity Options

• Line-card Slots: 4 total / 4 free
• Supervisor Slots: 2 total / 2 free
• Installed Modules (Max): 0 installed / 6 maximum

Modular Benefits

• Supports various line cards for high-speed network expansion
• Enables hot-swappable supervisor modules for minimal downtime

Power Supply and Redundancy

• Power Device: Internal power supply (not installed) - hot-pluggable
• Maximum Supported Power Units: 4
• Power Redundancy: Optional, N+1 configuration with additional power supply
• Voltage Requirement: AC 120/230 V

Power Management Advantages

• Optional N+1 redundancy improves system reliability
• Hot-plug capability allows power module replacement without downtime

Key Advantages of Cisco C9606R

• High-speed switching for demanding enterprise networks
• Flexible and scalable chassis with up to 6 expansion slots
• Advanced cooling and power redundancy features
• Modular architecture allows future upgrades and expansions
• Supports high availability with hot-swappable components

Ideal Deployment Scenarios

• Large enterprise core and aggregation layers
• Data centers requiring high throughput and low latency
• Networks with scalable expansion requirements

Cisco C9606R Chassis

The Cisco C9606R is a robust rack-mountable chassis switch designed for enterprise networks requiring high performance, scalability, and advanced security. As part of the Catalyst 9600 Series, this chassis offers six expansion slots, enabling network engineers to tailor the configuration according to specific throughput and connectivity requirements. The modular architecture of the C9606R allows organizations to upgrade or replace line cards and supervisors without impacting the entire network, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing downtime.

High-Performance Network Backbone

Engineered to serve as the core or distribution layer in campus networks, the Cisco C9606R supports high-speed 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G Ethernet connections, offering unparalleled data transfer rates. The switch integrates the latest Cisco IOS XE software, providing advanced routing, security, and automation capabilities. Its high throughput makes it ideal for handling large-scale applications, virtualization, and data center interconnections. Network architects can confidently deploy this chassis to support high-demand workloads while maintaining low latency and reliable performance.

Modular Design and Flexibility

The C9606R chassis features six expansion slots compatible with various line cards and supervisor engines, allowing IT teams to optimize the switch for both current and future network demands. Its modularity ensures that organizations can expand port density or increase uplink speeds as traffic grows. By using interchangeable line cards, administrators can mix and match interfaces, enabling seamless integration of fiber and copper connectivity, supporting multi-gigabit speeds for modern enterprise networks.

Supervisor Engines for Enhanced Intelligence

Equipped with Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series supervisor engines, the C9606R delivers advanced network intelligence, enabling automation, monitoring, and policy enforcement across the network. These supervisors support Cisco DNA Center integration, allowing centralized network management and orchestration. Features like software-defined access, telemetry, and network assurance empower organizations to proactively manage performance, troubleshoot issues, and enforce security policies in real time. The intelligent supervisors enhance visibility across the campus and data center environments, providing analytics for informed decision-making.

Advanced Security Features

Security is a critical aspect of the Cisco C9606R chassis. The switch integrates advanced threat defense, segmentation, and policy enforcement capabilities to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. Cisco TrustSec technology allows for scalable identity-based access control, ensuring that network traffic is only accessible to authorized users and devices. In addition, the chassis supports encrypted traffic analytics, allowing IT teams to detect potential threats in encrypted communications without compromising privacy. These features make the C9606R suitable for organizations with stringent compliance and cybersecurity requirements.

Scalability and Future-Proofing

With its six expansion slots, the Cisco C9606R offers the flexibility to scale network capacity as organizations grow. Businesses can start with essential line cards and supervisors and later expand to accommodate higher port density or faster uplinks. The chassis supports high-bandwidth uplinks, allowing seamless integration with core, aggregation, and data center networks. Its compatibility with the latest Ethernet standards ensures that the infrastructure remains relevant as network demands increase. The switch’s ability to adapt to evolving business needs makes it a long-term investment for enterprise IT environments.

Redundancy and High Availability

Reliability is at the core of the C9606R design. Redundant power supplies and supervisor engines provide continuous operation even during maintenance or hardware failures. Hot-swappable line cards and supervisors allow for component replacement without disrupting network traffic. The chassis also supports virtual switching and high-availability protocols, ensuring seamless failover and minimal downtime. This level of redundancy is essential for mission-critical applications, data centers, and large enterprise networks where uninterrupted connectivity is paramount.

Integration with Cisco Ecosystem

The Cisco C9606R is fully integrated with the Cisco ecosystem, including Cisco DNA Center, Cisco SD-Access, and Cisco Meraki solutions. This integration allows for centralized automation, policy enforcement, and network monitoring. By leveraging Cisco’s software-defined networking capabilities, organizations can streamline operations, reduce manual configuration errors, and accelerate service delivery. The chassis works seamlessly with other Catalyst switches and Cisco routing platforms, enabling end-to-end enterprise network solutions.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Despite its high performance, the Cisco C9606R chassis is designed with energy efficiency in mind. Advanced cooling technologies, power optimization features, and intelligent fan systems reduce overall power consumption while maintaining optimal operating temperatures. These features contribute to lower operational costs and a smaller carbon footprint. The chassis complies with environmental standards, making it a responsible choice for enterprises aiming to implement sustainable IT infrastructure without sacrificing performance.

Network Automation and Analytics

Automation is a key strength of the Cisco C9606R. With built-in support for programmability, APIs, and network telemetry, IT teams can automate routine tasks, configure policies, and monitor network health efficiently. The switch provides extensive analytics for traffic patterns, application performance, and potential anomalies, enabling proactive troubleshooting and informed network management. Integration with Cisco DNA Center further enhances automation capabilities, allowing predictive analytics and intent-based networking to optimize operational efficiency.

Deployment Scenarios and Use Cases

The Cisco C9606R is suitable for a variety of deployment scenarios. In campus networks, it can serve as a highly resilient core or distribution switch, connecting multiple access layers while handling large traffic volumes. In enterprise data centers, the chassis provides scalable aggregation and uplink capabilities, supporting virtualization, cloud applications, and high-performance computing. Its flexibility, combined with robust security and management features, makes it ideal for large-scale organizations, government agencies, and service providers requiring reliable and secure networking solutions.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The Cisco C9606R chassis offers exceptional technical specifications to meet demanding network requirements. It supports high-density 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G interfaces, with six modular expansion slots for line cards and supervisors. The switch provides redundant power and cooling systems, ensuring continuous operation. Advanced software capabilities include Layer 2 and Layer 3 routing, multicast support, quality of service, and network segmentation. The chassis is designed to deliver high availability, performance, and security in enterprise environments, providing a future-ready foundation for scalable network infrastructure.